Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has addressed concerns surrounding the Department of Telecommunications (DoT)’s directive requiring smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices sold from March 2026 onwards. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Mr. Scindia emphasized that the app's use is entirely optional and sought to dispel anxieties regarding potential privacy infringements.
Optional Use and User Control
“There is no snooping or call monitoring,” Mr. Scindia asserted, directly responding to concerns about government surveillance. He clarified the user's autonomy over the application, stating, “If you don’t want the app, don’t activate it. If you do want it on your phone, keep it. If you want to delete it, delete it.” This statement aimed to reassure the public that the Sanchar Saathi app will not function without explicit user consent.
Drawing a parallel to other commonly pre-installed applications, Mr. Scindia noted, “The way your phone has many pre-installed apps like Google Maps— you can delete Google Maps if you don’t want it, so you can delete this also. Obviously you can delete it. There is no problem.” He reiterated that the pre-installation mandate is primarily for customer protection and does not equate to mandatory usage. “It is not mandatory. If you don’t want to register, and don’t want to use the app, don’t use it; don’t register, and it will lay dormant.”
Rationale Behind the App
The Sanchar Saathi app is intended to safeguard citizens from the growing threat of mobile phone-related fraud and theft. According to Mr. Scindia, the government has a “responsibility” to distribute the app widely to protect users from stolen devices. He stressed that the app would remain inactive unless the user chooses to register.
Mr. Scindia highlighted the scale of the problem the app seeks to address: “In one year, in 2024 alone, our country had ₹22,800 crore of frauds.” He contrasted the government's proactive measures with criticisms from the opposition, stating, “On one hand, the Opposition complains about increasing fraud. On the other, when we give the Sanchar Saathi to the common citizens, they cry Pegasus,” referencing the controversy surrounding the alleged use of Israeli spyware on Indian citizens.
Concerns and Comparisons
The mandatory pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app has drawn criticism from various quarters, raising concerns about user privacy and data security. Critics point to instances where pre-installed apps, often referred to as bloatware, consume storage space and system resources, and sometimes enjoy elevated permissions compared to apps downloaded from app stores. While some pre-installed apps can be disabled, complete removal is not always possible, leading to user frustration.
The Minister's comparison to Google Maps, while illustrating the option to delete, doesn't fully address the core concerns. Certain pre-installed Google apps, for example, are deeply integrated into the Android operating system, making them difficult or impossible to uninstall without rooting the device, a process that voids the warranty and can destabilize the phone. This difference in user control is a key point of contention for privacy advocates.
Looking Ahead
The Sanchar Saathi app's effectiveness in combating fraud and protecting users remains to be seen. Its success will depend on user adoption, the robustness of its security features, and transparency regarding data handling practices. As the March 2026 deadline approaches, further clarification from the DoT regarding the app's functionalities and privacy safeguards will be crucial to alleviate public concerns and ensure its responsible implementation.
“Those who don’t want to see the truth cannot be shown the truth,” Mr. Scindia concluded, reiterating his conviction in the app's potential to benefit Indian citizens.
